July 31,1991--The Portland Observer -Page 5
H IS OPINION
• -
Life: Everything Should be a Positive Lesson
BY ULLYSSES TUCKER, JR.
BÜT THE PHONE COMPANY SAID NOI 11
W E S A Y Y E S !!
NO CASH DEPOSIT
NO CREDIT CHECK
SERVICE ACTIVATED IN 3 TO 5 DAYS
CALL NOW
(503)224-4910
Like many individuals, 1 used to
think that life was not providing me
with a fair shake and, sadly, I viewed
myself as the victim. A Murphy’s Law
type of attitude, if you know what I
mean. What can go wrong will go
wrong, was the mind set. Some of the
reasons for such thinking? Growing up
in a broken/dysfunctional home, living
in poverty and on welfare, and domes­
tic violence was commonplace in my
home. Not to mention adultery, sub­
stance abuse, and physical abuse. Chil­
dren in the neighborhood also leased
and made me the “ butt” end of jokes
because I lacked the material elements
they had. My self-esteem was zero. I
was angry and bitter. Such hostility
affected my interaction with law en­
forcement, educators, family members,
neighbors, and anyone else who crossed
my path.
In this day and age families and
relationships are still being destroyed
by drugs, violence, sexual abuse, hun­
ger, economic hardships, homicides,
deceit, and death. Natural disasters like
floods, hurricanes, tornados, forest fires,
earthquakes, environmental mishaps,
and volcanos all take their toll on the
families or an individual’s self-esteem.
Not to mention civil disruptions or
war. All these factors create adverse
emotional and psychological effects or
scars on people. Then there are medi­
cal hardships such as cancer, AIDS,
and other threatening illnesses.
How is it possible, then, to find
something positive in the conditions or
circumstances mentioned and how is it
PACIFIC TELECORP, INC.
"you can call on us"
possible to learn something positive
from the experience, despite the pain
and suffering? Though most painful,
there is a great deal that can be learned
from adversity and, in many cases, it
can serve as a reality check or wake-up
call for some individuals to put their
life into perspective or re-evaluate their
lifestyle. Adversity can be just what
the doctor ordered. Some individuals
heal, grow, or live in confusion/guilt as
a result of adversity and others fall to
the wayside. How one reacts varies.
However, it is during these moments or
critical stages that people have the best
opportunities to grow or mature. Dur­
ing these periods, people can learn how
strong, weak, sensitive, compassion­
ate, wise, creative, unenlightened, self­
ish, or petty they are.
Bill Denby, a Vietnam veteran who
lost his legs in combat, is one of the
most celebrated volunteers in America
and one of the most consistent lobby-
ist/advocates for handicapped rights.
Had Denby allowed himself to drown
in his self-pity, he would not be the in­
spiration or motivational speaker that
he is today. His life did not end when he
lostboth legs. Denby is a great story for
all individuals with physical disabili­
ties to draw strength from. The key?
Denby stopped viewing himself as the
victim of an evil war and decided to
make the best of a terrible situation.
When people decide to let go of
the victim’s stance, then they will be
able to take control of their lives and
responsibility for their destiny/actions.
It is very easy to make excuses, sulk,
blame, or accuse others of our short­
-SUPPORT OUR ÄDVERTISERS-
SAY YOU SAW IT IN
THE
P O R TLA N D
LORRAINE HLAVINKA
All Types of Auto Plate and Window Glass
Storm Doors and Windows
4709 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd
Portland, Oregon 97211
Woman-Owned
Phone 249-5886
tfa. Pointers For Parents
Twenty young people returned to
their neighborhood from their first
victory over forest fires. The Freedom
Fire Fighters, as they call themselves,
were recruited by Oregon Outreach,
Inc. at the King Neighborhood Facil­
ity. A welcoming party of family and
friends greeted them at 3:00 p.m. Fri­
day, July 26 as they returned by bus
from the Illabot fire near Rockport,
WA.
The crew is predominantly Afri­
can American, the first in history.
Becky Black, director of Oregon
Outreach, Inc. worked tirelessly with
the Gifford Pine hot National Forest
and Mt. Hood National Forest to or­
ganize and train the crew. Keith Baker,
Todd Sinner and Billy Ballastrcssi were
hired as crew leaders.
The fighters on this first fire were:
Scott Nacoste, Larry Pounccl, Eugene
Green, Dan Woods, DaMarcus Hen­
derson, Phillip Johnson, Erik Thompson,
Josh Erickson, Alex Ortiz, Thomas
Shinkle, Jose-Freddy Robles, Freder­
ick Myles, Jerome Gibson, John Carlo
W illiam s, M arcus W ashington,
Kimothy King and Kashi Hannon. Other
members of the crew are: Mark Lind­
Since 1952
One of the first ways to tell it your
child has developed an allergy is if he
or she sneezes a lot, often in rapid
succession. Other indications are
runny or congested nose, itching of
the eyes, and plugged ears and sinus
headaches. If your child has any of
these symptoms, see your doctor.
Not only can doctors quickly de­
tect an allergy, they can prescribe a
medication in a i win reneve m e ixiui-
ersome symptoms yet not make a
child drowsy. Many over-the-counter
antihistam ines cause drowsiness. A
child’s sneezing may stop, but be­
cause he or she is drowsy, school
performance may suffer. Some medi­
cations also cause excitability in
children, making it difficult for them
to concentrate.
For Best Results
Advertise in the Observer
According to Tony Brown, syndi­
cated journalist, African/Americans
spend a contemptuous 6.6% of their
income on each other per year; and that
rate is sure to decrease as will the Afri­
can/American economic community.
Many have expressed the desire to
support Black-owned businesses; how­
ever, they do not know where they are
located. This problem can be easily
remedied by the publication of a Black-
owned business directory.
The promotion and growth of Black-
owned businesses can only serve to
enrich our community. Therefore, if
you are an African/American business;
if you arc interested in developing a
much needed job market for Blacks
who are the most unemployed and un­
deremployed group of people in this
state; if you are concerned about the
growing number o f new businesses
sprouting-up in our community that are
not Black-owned and do not serve to
enhance our community’s needs; and if
you are interested in economic inde­
pendence for African/Americans, sub­
mit your business name, address and
phone number for publication in the
Oregon Black-owned Business Direc­
tory.
The sooner we have a workable list
the sooner we can get to work. For more
information please contact Edith Thrower
at P.O. Box 1001, Portland, Oregon
97201.
Creed of the black Press
T
he Black Press believes that America can best lead the world away
from social and national antagonisms when it accords to every person,
regardless of race, color, or creed, full human and lcagal rights. Haling no
person, fearing no person, the Black Press strives to gelp every person in the
firm belief that all are gurt as long as anyone is held back.
Success and the Right A ttitude Go Hand in Hand
SAVE ON VINYL SIDING
INSTALLED ON
YOUR HOME
A child taking certain allergy medications may not be able to stay alert
sey, Charles Grixby and Ronnie Wal­
lace.
James Posey brought to Ms. Black
the idea of a neighborhood forest fire
fighting crew after a brainstorming
session with the King Youth Concerns
Committee, after a “ spark” from Ray
Eaglin. Mr. Posey kept his shoulder to
the wheel, but for a while the project
looked impossible. Luckily Ron Wyden
heard about the opportunity and be­
came a full-time supporter. Mr. Wyden
got the project on track and kept it
there with his continued support.
The Freedom Fire Fighters teamed
up with 19 other crews and a liaison
person from Gifford Pinchot National
Forest Headquarters. Their enthusi­
asm and close teamwork were out­
standing. It looks like there will be lots
of calls for them when forest fires
strike.
Freedom Fire Fighter tee-shirts
were donated and presented to the crew
upon their triumphant return.
This is an on-going project which
will continue each summer.
Assisting Oregon Outreach, Inc.
in this endeavor were the Portland
Private Industry Council and the City
of Portland.
O B SE R V E R
Oregon Black-Owned
Business Directory
Freedom Fire Fighters Trium ph
BY JIM ANDERSON
comings. Each person must be account­
able for his own behavior and actions.
Babe Ruth failed as a pitcher and Hank
Aaron had more strikeouts than his
record number of home runs. What
would have happened if both men fell
victim to doubt, frustration, or self­
doubt? You probably wouldn’t know
them as you do today.
Once people learn that there is
something positive in all of life’s expe­
riences, then there is a stronger willing­
ness to take risks, dream, and play out
the hand that life may deal out, even
when it’s from the bottom of the deck.
This is not possible until people, as
mentioned, fully accept, feel, and chal­
lenge the conditions confronted or
brought by everyday life. Personally,
growth in my life has mosdy come as a
result of adversity and painful losses. A
fractured foot led me toward academ­
ics and away from basketball; losing
both parents before the age of 14 made
me leave a life of juvenile crime; get­
ting hurt in a relationship made me
realize how I hurt others; and as strange
as it might sound, I am pleased for the
experiences because it made me grow.
You can only see positive results
when you are looking for them. Fur­
thermore, no one individual has a cor­
ner on the market when it comes to
hardships. Therefore, no one should
feel like a victim or that they are treated
unfairly by life’s circumstances. And
another thing, sometimes life’s hard­
ships and dark moments can be directly
related to God’s will. So, grow from
the experiences and don’t put a ques­
tion mark where God has put a period.
BY EXPERTS
SPECIAL 40% DISCOUNT
3 COLORS ONLY
IVORY - BEIGE - GRAY
CALL CAREFREE VINYL
HOMES
283-0348
FOR FREE ESTIMATE
In 1849, Elizabeth Blackwell was the
first American woman to become a
doctor.
Clarence Parker is a very confi­
dent man. He knows that success is not
something you win in the lottery, but
must work hard to achieve. “ My for­
mula for success is sim ple-hard work
and the right attitude; everything else
will fall into place,” he says. It also
doesn’t hurt to have a couple of degrees
and a background that includes finance.
Clarence Parker, a native of Buf­
falo, NY, had set his sights high from
day one. Upon graduation from the
University of Buffalo, he set out to
make his mark in business. He went to
work at Marine Midland Bank as a loan
officer and soon after that became a
branch manager. He was not content to
be a branch manager so when a corpo­
ration under the umbrella of Kitty Cat
Copper called, Clarence was ready. He
decided it was time to get off the east
coast and see the rest of the world. He
set out to Seattle to entertain a job offer
that he had no intention of taking, but
the Boeing Corp, made him an offer he
could not refuse. He visited Los Ange­
les and wanted to settle down there but
the money was too good to turn down;
let’s say he could name his own figure.
Clarence thought he would be working
in the Seattle area but the Boeing Corp,
sent him to Richland, WA. Once there
he rose fast within the company to be­
come the Computer Services Account­
ing Manager answering only to the
president
He enjoyed the position for awhile
but once again his adventurous spirit
won out and he decided it was time to
venture further on his own. He con­
tacted 100 of the Fortune 500 Compa­
nies. “ Most young Afro American
males are afraid to go for it all. Once
they get the degree, they settle for a
corporate salary and expense account,
the comfort zone so to speak.” In Clar­
ence’s opinion more blacks need to get
into the private sector in order to help
Afro Americans establish an economic
climate that will be suitable for uplift­
ing the plight of Afro Americans.
Clarence chose to work in the car
business and took the opportunity to
join the Chrysler Corp. Minority Deal­
ership Program. Participants attend
school in Detroit in order to learn the
business and then participate in on-the-
job training as a General Manager in
one of the dealerships. They work in
every department of the car industry to
learn the ins and outs o f the trade.
Clarence did his on-the-job training at
Simpson’s in Richland, WA, and waited
for his opportunity. It came when Lou
Boston wanted out of the Chrysler
Plymouth dealership in Gresham, and
Clarence stepped in. The car business
for Clarence is a great opportunity to
grow in the business sector.
The Gresham dealership is doing
well. Clarence is restructuring the busi­
ness to fit his taste and applying his
own formula for success. He says, “ My
priority right now is to get the business
up and running. Once I do that I will
have more time to get involved in
community affairs.” But first things
first and the right attitude is the key for
business success. He plans to make his
mark in the car business and from there—
who knows?
Clarence Parker is not one to fear
success, for fear of failure is not in his
vocabulary. The City of Gresham has
acquired a fine business mind and the
Afro American community of Portland
can’t wait to experience the attitude
adjustment that comes with the C lar­
ence Parker formula for success.